Frederick N. Karaffa, M.D.

A memorial service celebrating the life of Frederick N. Karaffa, M.D., 81, of Granville will be held Sunday, March 2, 2014 at 3:00 P.M. at St. Luke's Episcopal Church, 107 E. Broadway, Granville with the Rev. Stephen H. Applegate as celebrant. A private graveside service will be held at Maple Grove Cemetery in Granville with full military honors rendered by the Licking County Veterans Alliance.

Dr. Karaffa died Thursday, February 27, 2014 at Kendal at Granville. He was born in Steubenville, Ohio November 4, 1932 to the late Nicholas J. and Mary Mosiejewski Karaffa.

A music major and member of Sigma Chi and the music fraternity, Mu Phi Epsilon, Fred graduated from Ohio Wesleyan University in 1954 and entered the U.S. Air Force. He attained the rank of Captain and served as a navigator with the Strategic Air Command, Air Refueling Squadron. Upon his discharge, he returned to Ohio Wesleyan and completed his pre-med courses before graduating from The Ohio State University, College of Medicine in 1963.

In 1964, after an internship at Grant Hospital, Dr. Karaffa served the Granville community in private family practice for 24 years. During this time he also served on the Licking County Board of Mental Health, Board of Education for Granville Schools, and as Senior Warden of St. Luke's Episcopal Church. He was also the Medical Director of Newark Healthcare for 30 years. Upon completion of a fellowship in addiction medicine, Dr. Karaffa became the Medical Director of Shepherd Hill. He started "Ask The Doc", a program free of charge each Saturday, to help others gain knowledge and understanding about the chronic, progressive nature of chemical dependency. His dedication to helping others resulted in his being presented with several awards including a Certificate of Appreciation by Governor Bob Taft in 2001 and was also recipient of a 50 Year Award from the Ohio State Medical Association.

An accomplished violinist, Dr. Karaffa began performing during his high school years with the Wheeling Symphony. He would later play with the Columbus Symphony, Central Ohio Symphony, Capital Bexley Community Orchestra, and the Licking County Symphony, where he served as Concert Master for 24 years. He shared his love of music with many, most especially his wife. He enjoyed piloting his own plane, motorcycles, and cars, including his favorite 1976 Cadillac Convertible. Much of his leisure time was spent at the family's vacation home at Hilton Head Island.

Surviving are his wife of 58 years, Jane (McCommon) Karaffa; children, Robert J. Karaffa, Susan Karaffa, and Emily Karaffa; grandchildren, Nicholas Frederick Schweizer, Lauren Jane Karaffa, and Alexander Scott Karaffa; great granddaughter, Autumn Elise Karaffa-Sartin; and one sister, Joan Gresick.

The family will receive friends from 2 to 4 P.M. Saturday, March 1, 2014 at the McPeek-Hoekstra Funeral Home in Granville. Online condolences may be expressed at www.mcpeekhoekstra.com

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Luke's Episcopal Church, P.O. Box 82, Granville, OH 43023.